Want to run the London marathon without leaving the gym? Now you can…

You will soon be able to run the London marathon course without actually going outside (Picture: LondonMarathonTV/YouTube)

Fancy running the London marathon, but don’t really like the outdoors? Good news! You can now run the course on a treadmill instead.

With the race notoriously difficult to actually get into – almost two million people have been rejected since the first London marathon in 1981 – this ‘interactive 3D experience’ offers a chance for runners across the globe to enjoy the world-famous course.

Footage filmed at the beginning of last year’s marathon has been used to create a virtual race, complete with cheering spectators, barriers and aid stations.

You can now pretend you’re running across Tower Bridge (Picture: PA)

Race director Hugh Brasher told Reuters: ‘It’s certainly the next-best thing to doing the race and turns what could be a dull treadmill run into a really exciting experience.’

A one mile ‘taster’ of the course was unveiled at the marathon’s expo, with the full course set to be rolled out by October.

So if you miss out on the ballot for next year’s race, you’ll need a new excuse for not taking part.